Free all-ages fun at Lincolnville Fall Festival

Lincolnville — Lincolnville Fall Festival is scheduled to commence on Saturday, Sept. 22, and festival committee chairman Bob Plausse is busily planning for the day-long street fair which includes a parade and a variety of free events geared toward family fun.

Plausse said Lincolnville Fall Festival will be bigger than ever this year after a disappointing day of rain forced a cancellation in 2011.

"We'll have everything you could ever want for adults and kids," Plausse said.

Plausse said the opportunity arose to work with the Model A Club of America Grand Tour and showcase the largest Model-A collection in America. Plausse said the car owners are staying at Point Lookout and other local hotels and will leave from Point Lookout — proceeding down Route 1 through Lincolnville Beach — before turning onto Route 173 and heading to Owls Head Transportation Museum.

"This is going to be a big parade," Plausse said, adding Dick McLaughlin and his family will participate as Grand Marshals — riding in one of the Model-A convertibles.

Plausse said he has been working with Owls Head Transportation Museum to engage their organization in the festival and he said he is optimistic they will participate in some way, either hosting a table, sending a vehicle with a banner or even orchestrating a flyover if weather permits. Additionally, the festival committee has extended an invitation to Windjammers to participate from the deeper waters of the harbor.

Plausse said activities will include mechanical bull-riding for children and adults, face painting, a castle bounce house, a beach treasure hunt and three bands. More than 20 vendors have signed up to participate including craftspeople, farmers, food and concessions and various community organizations.

Plausse said shuttles will be available from Lincolnville Central School and Western Auto and from various points along Lincolnville Beach. Transportation from the school is donated by Northeast Charter and Tour Company and WCAP has agreed to donate the services of a handicapped-accessible bus to run in Lincolnville Beach and elsewhere if needed.

"[The buses] will be continually making the rounds so no one will be stranded," Plausse said with a laugh.

Plausse said Rick Pierson has been an integral part of organizing the Lincolnville Fall Festival, additionally about a dozen committee members have played a huge roll in putting on the event.

"This is a dynamic committee," Plausse said. "They all come through, every one of them, without question."

All events at Lincolnville Fall Festival are free and vendors and exhibitors keep any proceeds they make at the event. Plausse said the generous support of donors makes providing a free event possible.

"This is really our first go-round going big," Plausse added.

Lincolnville Fall Festival will take place in Lincolnville Beach on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Courier Publications reporter Jenna Lookner can be reached at 236-8511 or by email at jlookner@courierpublicationsllc.com.